Chocolatier Round Table
Today was the professional highlight of my Acorn Scholarship year! Today saw 5 of the top patissiers and chocolatiers sound round a table on the top floor of The Gherkin answering MY questions about business and all things sweet. Joining me were my mentor Jane Sunley who co-chaired the event with myself and Jon Reed, Chairman of the Acorn Scholarship. The panel consisted of William Curley (Best Chocolatier' in the consecutive years 2007,2008 and 2009 by The Academy of Chocolate), Paul A Young (Of Paul A Young Fine Chocolates Ltd and recently been awarded Best Chocolate Book in the World by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards), Eric Lanlard (of Cake Boy and cake-maker for celebrity events, including the weddings of Madonna and Guy Ritchie, Claudia Schiffer and Elizabeth Hurley), Chantel Coady (founder of Rococo Chocolates,
Kings Road (1983) and Marylebone High St) and Claire Clark MCA (who was the executive pastry chef at Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-star The French Laundry restaurant in California up until last year).
Over afternoon tea, we discussed everything from starting out and what inspired people to set their own buisnesses up to packaging, PR and giving the customers what they want. All the panel were so open and very keen to share their experiences with me and I was completly bowled over by their generosity and support for what I want to do. The debate will be featured in Caterer & Hotelkeeper in the next month or so! I'd like to take this oppurtunity to thank Acorn, Caterer and all the panelists for their help, guidence, understanding and just being so brilliant! Photos coming soon